Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a happily haunted Halloween.  Owen and Olivia seemed to enjoy their costumes for about the first 10 minutes, but at least we had enough time to snap off some photos.  I can't wait until they are able to do some trick or treating for themselves, this year they had to settle for watching mom and dad eat a whole bunch of candy.  

It's almost like being in the jungle.

 Everyone smile.

 Look, I can almost sit up on my own.

 Yes Papa Russ, I promise not to steal my sister's candy.

 I am the top banana.

 This is serious.

A monkey and a banana head, oh, and the twins too.

One little pumpkin.

Almost crawling!

Halloween Preview

Peas: 4 Thumbs Down

I believe both babies are happy that their 3 day eating spree of peas is over.  Between their gagging, spitting, and crying, I am to.  Yes, Olivia screamed yesterday each time her bite included peas.  I believe next on the list is oatmeal.  I'm sure that will go over better than peas.

I hate peas!

As the title would indicate, I hate peas.  You can ask my mom or dad, it was always an issue.  I'm pretty sure I'd have to have some sort of incentive to eat peas.  Even with a prize at the end it was a challenge.  I'd bury them in my mashed potatoes or shove a spoonful in with whatever else was on the plate.

Lindsay also hates peas.  I can't go into how her childhood pea experiences stack up to mine, maybe she'll add to this post later.

So obviously we'd make sure our babies had to endure the trauma of our childhoods, after all that's what parenting is all about, revenge.

We made baby food today.  I don't know why we decided on peas, I guess because they are really easy to make.  1. Cook peas 2. Blend.  Maybe Lindsay and I weren't given enough peas as children and that's why we don't like them.  Or perhaps we'll sour our kids taste buds on them now so we won't have to pretend to like peas later when O & O are whining about eating their peas.  Any way you cut it, we made our own baby food.  It's something I can see us trying again because it's super cheap and a pretty easy process.  

So far the twins have had mixed responses to carrots and sweet potatoes, both compliments of Gerber.  We'll see how they do with the homemade stuff.  

Justin

The Magic Closet

No, this picture isn't the "Magic Closet".  I don't believe cameras are allowed in the "Magic Closet" at my parent's house.  My Mom is the best shopper ever, and she finds great deals and buys for next season.  I believe there is a swim suit in the magic closet for Owen to wear in 2012! We just pulled out practically the entire winter collection from Janie and Jack last year!  It's like Christmas every season when we sit down and go through all of the clothing and finally put it on the babies!  This picture is our closet, which is a direct receiver from the "Magic Closet". Thanks Mom!  Owen and Olivia wouldn't be dressed nearly as cute without you!

I also love getting out gifts that the babies received when they were born.  These two outfits were from Justin's cousins Andy and Megan!

Happy weekend everyone!

Pictures from First Food

Here are a few pictures from their first sweet potatoes.  Neither of them were too happy with them, but they ate them!  As you can see, they were pretty messy afterwards!

I'm a big kid now

Or maybe the title should be "We are big kids now"!  We just got home from the O's 6 month pediatrician visit and wow, they are getting big!  They have really jumped up on the weight charts. 

Owen
Weight - 15 lbs 15.9 oz (24%)
Length - 25.25 in (2%)

Olivia
Weight - 14 lbs 9.9 oz (24%)
Length - 24.5 in (13%)

Next on our agenda (after these long, shot induced naps) - food!  Sweet Potatoes are on the menu for tonight, and that will be all they get for the next 3 days while we wait to make sure there is no allergic reaction.  Then they can start one new food every 3 days. 

Language arts

The O's are babbling at each other right now. I'm pretty sure they are developing their own language, which they will undoubtedly use to plot against us.

Weekend in Parsons

Here are some of the other pics from the weekend.

A half year ago

I was just watching some video of when the twins were in the NICU.  It's crazy how much they've changed in just under 6 months.


NICU from Justin Schmidt on Vimeo.

Olivia's Message

Translation:
We've had a great week.  We get to eat cereal every day, and are getting the hang of it.  We also get to go outside every day because the weather has been fantastic!  Today, Owen and I made a pact to never nap at the same time.  We just wanted to make sure Mom has someone to play with at all times.  Not sure why she is complaining about not being packed for our weekend getaway to Parsons.

I can't wait to go to Parsons because that is where my Aunt Erica and Uncle Luke live.  They are having a baby, so Owen and I are going to be BIG COUSINS!  Lola is such a great big cousin for us, so we are excited to pass that on for "Mini Manners" who is due to arrive around our 1st birthday! 

Happy Weekend everyone!

Owen being funny.

And Owen wore new jammies last night and was loving them!

Owen wanted to write something

 b bm   ynkmmm gjm,m,cvfikmb n bm
-Owen


(we're still working on spelling)

Preparing for Baby Kokemor

Today was Ryan's baby shower!  Ryan and I have been friends since high school, and even though she has lived far away since college (Virgina, Boston, and now Baltimore!), we have managed to keep in touch.  Ryan was in Kansas City last winter throwing me a shower, and now it was her turn to be on the receiving end!  Baby K is due January 1st and we are all so excited for him or her to arrive! 

Owen modeling his hat from Ryan, and playing with Sophie!

My camera died right when the shower started, so hopefully I'll get some more pictures to post eventually!

Owen's Bird

It's amazing how much the babies now see and discover each day.  Last night, Owen discovered the bird toy that has been on his car seat for months.  He was fascinated!

The Cider Mill: Year 2

So I looked way back in the 2x2 archive at the original The Cider Mill post.  I really didn't write much, and only posted one picture.  I think in the year we've had this blog up, we are getting a little better at blogging.  I hope you're still enjoying reading it too.

Today we went back to the cider mill, this time with two external children, instead of two feti making Lindsay miserable.  I'd say it went much better this year.  Lindsay and I had a bunch of pancakes, Olivia and Owen just went for the formula as usual.  I had a sweet sweet bottle of root beer and Lindsay snarffed down some doughnuts, because that's what you do at the cider mill.  We looked at a whole bunch of pumpkins, but yet again this year, didn't come home with one.

Aunt Kelsey, Uncle Justin and Lola as well as Mimi and Papa were all along for the trip.  It seemed like they enjoyed the day too.

We saw another couple with the awesome BOB stroller, I kind of nodded and said, "nice stroller."  I'm pretty sure they thought I was crazy.  I also almost made Lola cry when I ate part of her doughnut.  Crazy kid.  Here's the pictures.

Nothing new

It's been a while since we posted, so I figured I'd scribble something down real quick.  I took the babies out for a run for the first time this week.  We have been taking many walks with the great weather lately, but never a run.  They seemed to enjoy the run. It was actually one of the first outings we've been on with no crying, so that was nice.  There is a noticeable weight difference, they must be packing on the pounds.  Anyway, have a great weekend.